The week started with the Amnesty International/Rights Respecting School Group taking assembly for the S2.  They gave a moving account of the work of Amnesty and how it relates to the school achieving its Rights Respecting School status.  I think we underestimate how daunting it is for young people to stand up in front of their peers to give an assembly and I would like to congratulate all the pupils for their hard work.

The S2s have been experiencing the Land Yacht Challenge this week.  All of the pupils work in teams to design, build and race a land yacht.  In the course of the challenge they practise their communication and teamworking skills, as well as working on their problem-solving.  The pupils had a ball and some of the yachts are pretty amazing.  I would like to thank all the pupils for their hard work and all the staff involved for facilitating the event.

Pupils from the Hospitality and Cake Decorating courses took over assemblies on Tuesday and Wednesday to talk to pupils about raising money for MacMillan Cancer through their “Coffee Morning” initiative.  They provided staff with all manner of goodies at Interval on Wednesday and had a stall with items for sale and donations at Lunchtime for the pupils.  They raised over £200 in all – an excellent effort!

On Wednesday evening the PSP met.  It was great to see so many people there (I think we might have to change to a bigger venue to accommodate everyone).  The discussions ranged from views on the draft “Learning and Teaching” policy, to how the school organises cover, to praising the wonderful East Lothian Youth Orchestra performance last Saturday.

On Thursday I had the pleasure of being part of a panel talking about employability to various stakeholders from around East Lothian.  We were joined in our discussions by Dr Alasdair Allan, minister for Learning, Science and Scotland’s Languages.  I was talking specifically about the school’s partnership with Canon UK and it was a good opportunity to publicly thank Alison Hood (East Lothian Council) and Max Sykes (Canon UK) for all their help and support.

Yesterday evening we had the S1 Settling-In Evening.  It was good to see so many S1 parents there.  Myself and the Deputes were able to talk a bit about the vision for, and the values of, the school.  I think everyone was particularly captivated by Mrs Falconer’s presentation that involved making (non-alcoholic) cocktails (you had to be there).  Straight after that KASG held their fundraising Bingo Evening.  It was in full swing as I was heading home, and I hope everyone enjoyed themselves.  I am looking forward to sampling my raffle prize (no, not wine, a bottle of our finest, local Rapeseed Oil).

This evening I am heading off to the Haddington Twinning Association’s “Absolutely French” evening.  Not a bad way to end the week, I think.

I’ll leave you with an article from a member of our S6 – Donald Turvill.  He is also going to take part in Project Trust next year, after he leaves us:
“Earlier this year when I was thinking about what I wanted to do when I leave school, although having university in mind, I decided that first I wanted to do something different that would benefit me for life. After looking around for options I came across Project Trust, an educational charity which sends 17-19 year olds overseas offering several different kinds of projects such as teaching, outward bound and social care. After applying to attend a selection course on the Isle of Coll, where Project Trust is based, I received an email informing me that I’d been accepted, so I proceeded to research the different projects that they offer. Selection lasted five days and was Project Trust’s opportunity to see if I was a suitable candidate to take a year out, this was also a chance for me to look into the different projects that they offer, and I was drawn to one particular opportunity that is available in Namibia, South East Africa and involves primary school teaching alongside helping to run a local newspaper – as journalism is something I hope to peruse as a career.  I knew that this was the one for me. About one month after returning from the selection course I received a letter from Project Trust, and just like that, I had been accepted to spend a year in Africa! So why am I writing this? Because the hardest bit of this venture is actually going to take place before I even fly away next August, as in the next year I have to raise £5,900 to cover the cost of my year out. In order to reach this goal I will be writing to hundreds of charitable trusts, holding fundraisers, taking park in sponsored events and just about anything else that will help me reach my target. To make a donation, or even just find out a bit more about what I will be doing in my year out you can visit wwwvirginmoneygiving.com/donaldsyearout. “

Have a very good weekend.
S Ingham